OB- Democracy

Question 1

1)Representative democracy
2)Direct democracy

Answer 1

1)People vote for politicians who vote on their behalf
2)Citizens vote directly on proposals

Question 2

advantages of representative democracy

Answer 2

-the elected politicians have the knowledge and skills to make hard decisions
-more efficient than laying laws directly before people

Question 3

disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 3

-many people don’t trust politicians and don’t agree with any of the parties
-MP’s might not respond to the views of the public

Question 4

advantages of direct democracy

Answer 4

-population feel more valued if they can make decisions
-eliminates corruption as power is not concentrated in the hands of the elite

Question 5

disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 5

-big decisions made by uneducated people
-referendums are not legally binding
-people may not have time or have interest

Question 6

Delegate model

Answer 6

duty to do what you have been told to do (voters telling you what to do)

Question 7

how does representative democracy work in the UK

Answer 7

General election: UK divided into 650 constituencies which selects a single MP to represent them in parliament

Question 8

Parliaments role

Answer 8

legislative branch: debates and approves new laws whilst scrutinising the work of the gov

Question 9

Governments role

Answer 9

executive branch: proposes new laws and then implements them once passed by parliament

Question 10

IS THE UK EXPERIENCING A PARTICIPATION CRISIS: slacktivisim meaning

Answer 10

term to describe shallow levels of participation

Question 11

1) Hapathy
2)apathy

Answer 11

1)so happy with the situation won’t bother getting involved
2) not caring

Question 12

Partisan dealignment

Answer 12

individuals become less partisan in terms of their support for a political party, EG 2019 GE, <—- may be a good thing as it shows people are aware therefore participation

Question 13

Political membership facts

Answer 13

-1951 Cons had 3mill members// Labour had 900k
-2011 cons had 130k// labour had 190k

Question 14

politcal participation facts

Answer 14

-1950 turnout record high of 84%
-60% in 2001,raising questions about the legitimacy and mandate of Blair gov

Question 14

Info about elections

Answer 14

-free: vote for whoever you like//secret voting ballot
-fair: every persons vote Is valued equally// no corruption in the counting of votes

Question 15

fact about 2019 GE

Answer 15

tories got 43% of the vote but 56% of the seats

Question 16

First past the post

Answer 16

system in which a candidate or party is selected by achievement of a simple majority.

Question 17

advantages of fptp

Answer 17

-clear outcome (easy to understand)
-small and extreme parties don’t get into power
-one party gov= stable gov

Question 18

disadvantages of fptp

Answer 18

-those who are runners up receive no political reward (winner takes all system)
-massively unproportional (2015 UKIP, 3 mill votes and got 1 MP)
-wasted votes (any vote given to a losing candidate is a wasted vote)
-winners may not have the majority of the votes
-many voters may be reluctant to choose a candidate they feel stands no chance at winning so may tactically vote for the least worst electable candidate

Question 19

referendums

Answer 19

a popular vote in a single issue ( parliament is sovereign therefore referendums are not binding in uk)

Question 20

why are referendums used

Answer 20

-politcal pressure EG Brexit
- decions are too difficult, politicians don’t want to be held accountable
-increases political understanding and awareness

Question 21

case against referendums

Answer 21

-turnout can be low
-clashes with parliamentary sovereignty

Question 22

main electoral systems used in the uk

Answer 22

-FPTP= used in GE & ENG local elections
-PARTY LIST PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION = used in European elections
-ADDITIONAL MEMBERS SYSTEM (AMS)= used it SCT and WAL parliaments
-SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE= used in N.IRE assembly
-ALTERNATIVE VOTE= used in the election of parliamentary select committee